asked the Secretary of State for Trade, in the case of those certificates and licences for the issue of which he has responsibility, whether the fees for issue have been increased by a greater amount or a greater percentage than that represented by a rise from £2·50 in 1973 to £13 in 1978.

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 417], gave the following information:My Department issues certificates and licences for a variety of purposes including marine safety, patents and companies legislation. Most fees have increased by more than £10·50 since 1973, but from a level well above £2·50. A few have risen by more than the percentage indicated.